LeBron James drops 61: How high can he go

LeBron James scored 61 points on Monday Night, leaving one giant question in his wake:

How high can he go?

It’s been 52 years since Wilt Chamberlain dropped 100 in Hersheypark Arena, in a dim gymnasium that was too dark for television cameras. Could James ever threaten basketball’s unbreakable record?

I think not.

To approach 100, you have to be self-centered and ego-driven, ruthless in your disregard of others. It would mean taking nearly every shot your team attempts for an entire game, and certainly for the second half. It would mean asking your teammates to play defense on one end of the floor and never touch the ball on the other.

All for your personal glory.

Kobe Bryant wouldn't have any philosophical issues with taking every shot, having once scored 81 points in a game, and the same was once true of Michael Jordan. But I don’t think LeBron is built like that. He’s always been a facilitator. He's never had issues giving up the basketball. And I think we just witnessed how high LeBron can go.

This much is undeniable:

From the moment James staged his own slam-dunk contest in Phoenix, he has thrown the MVP race into overdrive. Kevin Durant is surely paying attention, and he plays at home tonight against the lowly 76ers.

Don’t be surprised if Durant – whose career high is 54 – goes fishing for his own big number tonight in Oklahoma City.